What Your Mistakes Say About You

In a time long ago at a place far away, there were two quarrelling kings. A matter of honor had erupted between the two nobles, and the matter required a settlement. They reasoned together as to how they could best resolve the dispute. In short time, they determined that a duel would sufficiently satisfy their fued. The terms of the deal allowed each king to select any knight under their command as a proxy. The victorious knight would put the feud to rest in favor of his king.

On the day of the duel, both kings gathered with their respective courts and knights. The fervor and excitement had spread over both kingdoms causing many subjects to gather for the fight. They were eager to see which champions the kings would select and which would leave triumphant.

The first king approached the grounds standing tall and proud. He wasted no time introducing his chosen knight. His champion followed shortly after, emerging from a throng of adoring and cheering subjects. He stood even taller than the boastful king. The midday sun glimmered off his masterly crafted helmet and the colors of his kingdom covered his ironclad legs in majestic shades of gold and blue. The knight appeared both imposing and magnificent.

The crowd’s applause continued on with the arrival of the second king. With a simple gesture, he beckoned for his champion. The crowd’s ovations quickly slowed and sputtered. Before them stood a ragged and unappealing figure. The knight’s tarnished armor exhibited dozens of divots, notches, and gashes. Each blemish documented the mistakes and faults he had committed in battle. His dented breastplate indicated poor form. His scarred greaves implied weak balance. His frayed gauntlets revealed a lack of discipline. The baffled crowd jeered and mocked the king’s chosen champion. He was too flawed and too defective to beat his opponent. Victory seemed hopelessly out of reach for the second king.

The champions took positions, the bets were placed, and the crowd braced for a merciless fight. In an instant, both knights charged into battle. Each exchanged heavy blows and violent thrusts. To the surprise of all, the pristine knight could not match the strength and precision of the tarnished knight. After quickly gaining the advantage, the second knight dodged perfectly and struck ferociously. In short time, the first knight fell to his knees, battered and beaten. Unable to continue on, the first knight surrendered.

Astonishment flooded the crowd. The wise king’s court exploded with excitement and celebration. The unlikely hero stood powerfully over his unconscious opponent and the once doubting spectators now swarmed the victor. The conquered king navigated the jubilant crowd with his head hung low. He approached the wiser king and conceded defeat. Still baffled, the defeated king asked his opponent why he had chosen such an imperfect and flawed champion.

The wise king responded with a smile. Everyone else saw a man riddled with the marks of carelessness and waywardness. The knight was mistake-ridden, that much was certain. But when the wise king evaluated his champion, the knight’s errors revealed to the king a story that others would not see.

Nodding towards the ragged knight, the wise king spoke:

“A knight in shining armor is a man who has never had his metal truly tested.”

The knight’s armor undoubtedly indicated that he had been tested, sometimes very seriously. Nevertheless, the wise king discerned that the knight’s mistakes provided him experience and motivation. When the time for battle arrived, his ability and determination proved the king right. His triumph over his faults made it easier for him to ultimately triumph over his foe.

One of the main purposes of this life is to face trials and tests. Some of your most fierce and challenging tests will be born from your mistakes. The consequences of your faults, sins, and offenses will test your metal and scar your soul. Mortality guarantees that we will all deal with the pain of imperfection. Understanding how your mistakes can affect your life will allow you to handle their consequences both honorably and admirably.

Some mistakes stay hidden and unnoticed. But other mistakes, like those of the tarnished knight, make their way to the surface. Once on the surface, our mistakes expose us to the perceptions and mockery of others. The scars from your errors can say a lot about you. Each blemish tells the story of a foolish decision, an irrational habit, or a short-sighted act. Each mistake may be unique in circumstance and severity, but they all say the same thing: You aren’t perfect.

That’s it. That is the bare bones message. It really is that simple. As human beings, we dutifully err all the time. Most times, your mistakes will amount to nothing more than minor scuffs and smudges. But in some cases, a sinful lapse of judgment can inflict deeper gashes or larger dents upon your soul. As significant as a mistake might be, it will never define you so long as you properly address the problem. No matter how bleak your situation please remember the following:

Your mistakes don’t disqualify your abilities.

Your mistakes don’t discount your contributions.

Your mistakes don’t invalidate your feelings.

Your mistakes don’t nullify your character.

Most importantly, your mistakes do not depreciate your inherent worth.

Even though our mistakes don’t condemn us, they should be taken seriously. Mistakes hurt. They have to hurt. Dealing with your faults and imperfections will lead you down an uncomfortable and inconvenient path. Cleaning up the mess of both expected and unintended consequences requires increased humility, trust, and reflection. The path of repentance naturally makes us feel vulnerable and exposed. This is why it is so difficult to admit to mistakes. But for those who can admit their mistakes and work towards correcting them, a mistake can trigger drastic improvements and cement moral growth.

Now, before you spend your efforts searching for opportunities to make mistakes in order to reach some super status, let me be clear. I am not suggesting that mistakes are good, and I am certainly not suggesting that you should actively and purposely mess up. We can learn many lessons without taking the lumps of failure and regret. There is nothing noble or superior about living recklessly. Make no mistake – the tarnished knight wasn’t a hero on account of his mistakes. The knight became a champion because he renounced his errors and conquered his faults.

Unfortunately, many individuals treat their faults and mistakes with indifference and frivolity, though they rarely afford others the same luxury. These consider the enhancement of their character secondary to their self-serving security. Instead of making life better for themselves and others, they choose to suppress the seriousness of their sins. These will say “It’s in my nature. This is who I am!” In essence, they allow their mistake to define them, and they are comfortable doing so. This philosophy aims to soothe offenders and validate scoundrels. This practice may offer a quick salve for wounded pride, but it will never conceal the glaring marks of error. As I mentioned, a single mistake is not the most accurate assessment of character. However, an apathetic effort to set things straight suggests a prideful, arrogant, and malevolent character. 

Contrast those individuals with those who humbly confess their wrongdoings. An endeavor to admit errors and correct mistakes suggests courage, wisdom, and pure intent. Contrite mistake-makers will not only help themselves, but their experience may also make a difference in the lives of others. Their resolute attitude may instill motivation. Their familiarity with failure will increase their compassion. Their humility may provoke others to admit fault. In short, they can offer so much more than an exemplary warning and a cautionary tale.

In the end, your efforts to address your mistakes will speak more to your character than any error, fault, or mishap. According to your determination and patience, you can overcome the imperfections that beset you. When you find yourself in the path of error, be wise enough to swallow your pride and take your lumps. Be willing to test your metal against the trial of repentance and improvement. If you do so, I can promise a deep and immediate satisfaction that will turn into long-term happiness and future success.